A Selling Stakes, at the moderate price of 150gs., followed, for which five horses started, and was won by Lord Eglington's Wizard (T. Lye), but his lordship was not fortunate enough to have the horse claimed, the reserved prize being, perhaps, the intrinsic value of the field.

The great interest of the meeting centered in the Wednesday, two very important races, the St. Leger and the Northumberland Stakes, standing in the list for that day. For the former, though the entry amounted only to seven, nearly the whole of them were candidates for public favour in the Doncaster St. Leger betting. It had been known for several days that the Irish horse, Wedge, would not start, and Wizard being drawn, the field was reduced to five, four of whom had their supporters. Black Diamond was decidedly the favourite, and the heavy rain that fell during the night, and continued throughout the day of the race, rendered the course favourable to him, it being generally understood that his feet are the worst point about him. Bee's-wing having been beaten by him for the Tyro Stakes at this meeting last year, and from her ill success at Catterick, was in little favour with the betting men, but the Northumbrians, who knew and liked both the mare and her master, placed their money upon her with confidence. Elizabeth run well last year, which coupled with her fine condition, and the opinion of her owner, procured her some backers, and Black Hambleton, though a dark horse, was expected by some, to throw a new light on the subject. Zegri Maid, alone, was never mentioned, it being understood that she was only sent to take the measure of the horses in this race, for the guidance of those in Scott's stables. Altogether the race was a most interesting and exciting one, and a heavy down-pour of rain did not prevent a vast number of spectators from flocking to the course. The following is about the average of the odda at starting :— even on Black Diamond, 6 and 7 to 4 agst. Bee's-wing, 4 to 1 agst. Elizabeth, and 5 to 1 agst. Black Hambleton. Zegri Maid took the lead at starting, but Tommy Lye on Bee's-wing, thinking she was not making running in earnest, drew upon her on the brow of the hill, and having usurped her place, kept it without opposition till the Coal-pit turn, when Templeman on Black Diamond, made a severe but ineffectual struggle,. Bee's-wing still maintaining her place and winning easily by a length and a half. Black Diamond second, the other three were beaten off a long way from home.

A severe race was not expected for the Northumberland Stakes, it being supposed that Cyprian, the winner of the Oaks, would have it all. her own way, especially as the handicapping having taken place before she had procured her southern reputation, she was weighted only at 6st., but the very appearance of the winner of the Epsom Oaks, was enough to create an interest in the minds of the northerns. The odds upon her

varied from 2, to 10 to 1, according to the fancy of her friends. Out of an entry of nineteen, three mustered courage enougli to face the formidable sporting lady, one of which, however, Dancing Master, having forgotten his pumps, was forced to decline at the Newcastle turn, leaving Burletta, with Holmes at 8st. on her back, and Corryvrechan to decide the race without his further interference. The last, however, politely kept a little in the rear of the ladies, who disputed the race with true. feminine pertinacity, the run-in being one of the finest contests ever seen, Gray bringing Cyprian in first by a mere nose, with the greatest difficulty. It was so near, that from the grand stand it appeared to be a dead heat, Burletta having obtained the lead within a few yards of home; the last stride alone deciding the victory.

The Corporation Plate was won easily in two heats by Wentworth, (Cartwright) beating Patriot and three others.

Thursday was a finer day than any of the preceding, but the wind was disagreeably high, and the dust, notwithstanding the rain of the previous day, excessive. There was an immense concourse of spectators, not only the town but all the neighbouring pit-villages poured in their population; the Gold Cup (made after the modern fashion in silver). having its usual attractions. For this Despot and Burletta were expected to start, but some doubt existed as to Bees-wing; but Mr. Orde being aware that she had been backed for a considerable sum, determined to let her go, at the risk of damaging her for the Leger. Despot made the running at a severe pace, followed by Burletta, Lye on Bees-wing keeping quiet till near the coal-pit turn, when he brought her forward, passed: her opponents, and won easily. Bees-wing was not at all distressed, the appearance of the spur marks, upon which some remarks were made, being accounted for by the circumstance of her having been shut out at› the turn, which offending her spirit, she felt inclined to resent the indignity by declining the contest altogether.

The Members' Plate was won by Lady Lowman, beating Fanny and poor Burletta, who had a hardish week's work of it.

The Hunters' Plate, and the Wallsend Cup, though interesting enough to the natives, afforded litttle worthy of remark, beyond the circum-` stance that both prizes found their way to the banks of the Aln, the members of the Alnwick Hunt proving too powerful for their home competitors.

Altogether these races exhibited a most decided improvement, and we have reason to think, from the formation of a very active committee,' that they will continue to advance in public estimation. The Ordinary was well attended, and several subscriptions were entered into for the stakes next year. The Stewards are to be the Hon. T. O. Powlett,' Sir Wm. Scott, Bart., and C. Attwood, Esq.

THE morning following this, to me, most agreeable evening, was passed very much in the manner in which most mornings are passed at the houses of fox-hunters, on non-hunting days. The first step was to the stables, which are most commodious and excellent; and although not filled as they were wont to be when the kennel was also filled, contained some good hunters, the property of the two only sons then remaining at home. In one of these stables, I passed a delightful hour, when listening to Mr. Baillie, seated on the corn chest and recapitulating some of the proceedings of the Mellerstain hounds, and those who followed them in former days. Amongst others, the following anecdote amused me, "You may find some of my blood," said he, in your friend Lord Kintore's kennel; and," added he, " you may perhaps hear his lordship, as a friend of mine once heard him, holloaing- Have at him, old Baillie,' to a hound in chase; and, old Baillie again,' at another good hit." He then spoke of the Hon. John Elliot, of whom Nim North speaks so handsomely as a sportsman, a horseman, and a companion, and regretted his absence in India. When at the Cape of Good Hope, said Mr. Baillie, he went out with the hounds, mounted by a rich butcher. "It does me good," said the butcher, "to see that thick man ride." By all I have heard of him it would do me good to see this thick gentleman in any situation, but I fear I never shall.

"What fates impose, that men must needs abide;

It boots not to resist both wind and tide;"

But there were no steam-boats when Shakespeare penned these lines. In the course of this agreeable hour's chat Mr. Baillie informed me of the singular fact that he was the first master of hounds to send his fixtures to a newspaper. Nor was this all, the proprietor of one attempted to fix him with the charge of twenty-two pounds, for advertisements, but failed. The proprietor must have been a slow hand; for all newspapers have found their account in being the medium of making public the fixtures of various packs of hounds; and before the practice became so general as it now is, I knew many sportsmen who took certain newspapers solely on that account. Still it would be well if London

NO. LXIII.-VOL. XI.

U

editors, or their subs, would condescend to throw their eye over these announcements, as it often happens that the fixture is gone by ere the journal reaches the country. Again, we often see the word "to-morrow" to a fixture two hundred miles distant. The space thus occupied might be turned to better account, in the same line of information. Mr. Baillie was likewise the first to introduce into Scotland the celebrated breed of South-down sheep, a flock of which I saw in his grounds, but not near enough to form a judgment of them. And I saw, on another part of his domain, what should be seen on that of every sportsman who can afford the expense of it, I saw some worn-out hunters enjoying the repose of an inactive life, and well fed-without which, and warm sheds, it is more merciful to destroy them. The Laird of Mellerstain has read Virgil:

"Hunc quoque, ubi aut morbo gravis, aut jam segnior annis

Deficit, abde domo, nec turpi ignosce senectæ."

Our conversation in the stable ended with the following injunction from Mr. Baillie. "When you visit Lord Kintore," said he, " at Gask, don't forget to see John Crack who resides at Turriff. He is the oldest huntsman now alive in Scotland, and I think he will amuse you with some of his anecdotes of days long since gone past." This injunction I was not likely to overlook; the very name was a security against my doing so, crack men, crack hounds, and crack horses being the main objects of my pursuit.

Previously to our return to the house, we strolled about the domain, and Mr. Baillie appeared to feel an honourable pride in showing me the neat and comfortable houses in which his labourers and artizans, necessary to such an establishment as his, are lodged. Amongst others I stepped into that of the family blacksmith who happened to be within it at the moment. "So," said I, 66 you take Bell's Life in London, do you ?" (the last number lay on his table, pretty well thumbed.) "Ay, do 1;" replied this son of Vulcan, a very respectable looking man, as the term is," and I ken who you are; I have read your writings." "Then I hope you are the better for them," was my rather natural remark. "Wall I am none the warse," was all I got from him in reply.

"Oh, that men's ears should be

To counsel deaf, but not to flattery!"

This was somewhat of a damper.

We proceeded on our walk. "Did you ever eat a haggess?" said Mr. Baillie to me, as we approached the mansion. "Never," replied I; "neither do I think from what I have heard of it, I ever shall. They tell me it is a sheep's head, dressed with the wool on, with the agreeable addition of liver and lights." "Don't regard what you have heard of

it," resumed the laird; 66 we will have one at dinner to-day." We had one and I tasted it; but I think what was said of the Spartan broth may be said of the haggess. To like the one, a man should be dipped in the Eurotas, and to like the other, he should be born in Scotland. That is to say, he should be used to it from infancy. "Take the dish to Mr. A.,” said Mr. Baillie, seeing I did not eat what I had on my plate; "perhaps he will like it better when he sees it." But it is not every

thing that will stand close inspection, nor would this.

At two o'clock the whole party-male and female-walked to view, what we call in the South, the Homestead, or the Barton as it is termed in the North; in plainer English, the place where all farming operations are performed, save those carried on in the fields, and to which all produce is brought home, and secured-distant about a mile from the mansion house. The amount of live and dead stock here, showed the owner to be a farmer upon a very extensive scale; but the chief object of attraction was a water-wheel of a very large diameter, which sets agoing a corn mill, with three pair of stones, a bone-crushing mill, and a saw mill. The latter I had never before seen at work; but from the rapidity with which it cuts every description of wood into any substance that may be required, and, especially, rails for fences, such an engine should be erected upon every large estate which will admit of its being driven by water.

The bone-mill is likewise a most valuable adjunct in countries where the material can be conveniently found. Mr. Baillie's is in great part supplied by the gypsies of Yeth-holm, (muggers, as they are called in this part of Scotland,) who collect the bones from the various kennels, private houses, and villages in the neighbourhood; and, as it fortunately happened for every thing relating to this race of people is interestingone of them, apparently a very old man, arrived with a cart load of bleached bones during our visit. As may be supposed, I had some conversation with this would-be Æthiopian, and found him, what they are all indeed, shrewd and very ready with answers, delivered in their usual quaint terms of expression; but was it not from the wandering tribes of ancient Greece that the world is indebted for all that contributes to sweeten and embellish social life? Regarding the first named wild and wayward tribe, indeed, it has been elegantly observed, that men of letters, whilst eagerly investigating the customs of Otaheite or Kamschatka, and losing their tempers in endless disputes about Gothic and Celtic antiquities, have witnessed with apathy and contempt the striking spectacle of a gypsy camp. Leyden has painted them to the life.

"With loitering steps from town to town they pass,

Their lazy dames rock'd on the pannier'd ass.